A common characteristic of most mechanical and chemical systems is the need to transfer heat from one fluid (liquid or gas) to another, and most systems use heat exchangers to accomplish this task. In a heat exchanger, the two fluids do not make direct contact. Instead, heat passes from the hotter fluid to the metal isolating the fluids and then to the cooler fluid.

Common applications of heat exchangers include heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; preheaters or coolers in fluid systems; radiators on internal combustion engines; and boilers, evaporators, and condensers used with fluids like oils, wastewater, hydrocarbons, biogases, etc. in industries such as oil and gas refining and power generation.

Although heat exchangers come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and designs, the most common and basic type is the shell and tube heat exchanger, which consists of a set of tubes inside a cylindrical shell. Fluids flow inside the tubes (tube-side fluids) and outside the tubes (shell-side fluids) and remain separated at the ends of the tubes by the tube sheets.

Bayport Technical's Tabletop Heat Exchanger Circulation Trainer (110-HECT1) is a hands-on circulation system designed to teach basic heat transfer knowledge. In addition to following the flow of two different colored fluids through the acrylic heat exchanger shell and tubes, this transparent training tool allows the user to completely dismantle and reassemble the unit in the classroom to see what each component looks like and how the gaskets are positioned.

The convenient, compact size of the Tabletop Heat Exchanger Circulation Trainer allows for ease of transportation between classrooms or use in multiple locations. The unit also features stainless steel valves for greater longevity and industrial realism.